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Siruno Stroke Prevention Program

Welcome to the Siruno Stroke Prevention Program, a positive step to improving your health. The program will focus on four major risk factors for stroke: Healthy Nutrition, High blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, and Physical Activity. Cary Medical Center is pleased to offer this activity in cooperation with our award winning ‘Healthy You’ program. Each one of these programs will be offered in all six ‘Healthy You’ Communities, Caribou, Presque Isle, Van Buren, Fort Fairfield, Washburn and Limestone. By registering you will receive dates, times and locations for the programs in your community. Once you register we will send you healthy tips every week and we will answer health questions you might have through our ‘Ask Bethany’ website link. The program has been made possible thanks to the support of the Siruno Stroke Prevention Program and by a grant from the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. Please review the following information. You may register for one or all of the programs listed. For more information contact us or call Nancy Holmquist at 207-498-1272 or email nholmquist@carymed.org. Cary Medical Center – We are creating a Healthier Community.

PREVENTING TYPE 2 DIABETES – DO YOU HAVE PRE-DIABETES?

The Siruno Stroke Prevention Program will offer classes for individuals who have been determined to be at risk for Type 2 Diabetes often called Pre-Diabetes. Classes will help participants work towards losing 7% of body weight as well as helping to motivate individuals to do aerobic exercise most days of the week building up to 150 minutes per week. There will be 16 weekly classes (4 months) with 8 monthly follow up sessions. Cost per class will be $10.00 per class for each participant to help defray costs for the instructor, called a ‘life-coach’ and materials. Classes will follow the National Diabetes Prevention Program’s evidence-based curriculum. Type 2 Diabetes can shorten your life span and lead to heart disease, stroke, vision loss and other health complications. The average annual cost for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes including prescription drugs, doctor’s visits, and lab work can be as much as $15,000. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle modification. Your insurance company may pay for the cost of classes. Learn more at (link to Diabetes Prevention Program website)

HEALTHY NUTRITION

The Siruno Stroke Prevention Program and the Maine SNAP-ED Program are partnering to provide healthy cooking classes. Participants will work with a nutrition educator/chef to prepare meals that are healthy, tasty and low in cost. Highlights of the program include

Hands-on learning and group discussion

Tasty food samples prepared by chef and participants

Receive a free recipe book and reusable grocery bag at the end of the program

Receive a bag of groceries to prepare one recipe each week at home.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

The Siruno Stroke Prevention Program along with the University of Maine at Fort Kent Nursing program will partner to sponsor free blood pressure screenings to businesses and the general public. Screenings will be conducted by supervised nursing students and/or a Certified Nurses Aid according to Maine Public Health best practice methods. Individuals with high readings will be rechecked in at least 2 weeks for a comparison reading. Consecutive high readings will generate a referral to the participant’s Primary Care provider for follow-up. Blood pressure education packets will be distributed to all participants. All information collected will be confidential. De-identified data may be collected for statistical analysis to support future health promotion activity.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The Siruno Stroke Prevention Program encourages participants to increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week as recommended by the American Heart Association. Walking is known to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. You can become a member of the Healthy You Walking Club and receive updates on physical activity programs, a free wristband and weekly physical activity tips for good health. Walking is truly miracle medicine and can reduce blood pressure, help manage weight, reduce the risk for chronic disease including Alzheimer’s disease. Cary Medical Center routinely sponsors special walking challenges such as 100 miles in 100 days and 200 miles in 200 days. By registering for our physical activity program you will stay up to date on all our activities.

What People Say About Us

The Cary Physical Therapy folks were friendly and welcoming. They introduced themselves and called me by my first name which made me feel like they thought of me as a person and not just another patien. We set goals and met them - they taught how to walk correctly with a cane which I found helpful. My month at Cary P.T. was an enjoyable experience. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I was very happy with the care I received at Cary. Just wanted to say that in addition to the clear level of medical competence & professionalism of all the staff I met, regardless of level, I also appreciated their interpersonal demeanor & bedside manner. I was afraid, and the were able to calm my fears.

I was very impressed over all with my colonoscopy. Dr. & nurses were excellent and never once made me feel I was an imposition to them when they were so busy. I have already recommended Cary to my friends